Securement for a surgical site marker and deployment device for same

Abstract

A method of securing a biopsy marker within a biopsy site includes depositing a marker element within a biopsy site and fixing the marker element within the biopsy site by injecting a securing agent within the biopsy site. Delivery devices for delivering the securing agent to the biopsy site are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A delivery device, comprising:
 a cannula defining an inner lumen therein, the cannula having a proximal end and a distal end; 
 a valve member secured to the cannula, wherein the valve member is secured generally toward the distal end of the cannula; 
 an actuation portion connected to the proximal end of the cannula; 
 a semi-permeable filter element positioned within the cannula between the valve member and the actuation portion, the filter element cooperating to form a cavity between the valve member and the filter element; 
 wherein the cavity is configured to hold a securing agent and wherein the actuation portion may be selectively depressed to cause a fluid to flow through filter element and force the securing agent through the valve member. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the valve member is a normally closed valve member. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 2 , wherein the valve member is a duckbill valve. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the valve member is secured to the exterior of the distal end of the cannula. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the valve member is secured to a portion of the interior of the cannula, so as to be spaced inwardly from a distal end of the cannula. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the filter element is an open cell foam material. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the actuation portion is a bellows-style plunger. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one retaining latch. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the actuation portion is a plunger. 
     
     
       10. The device of claim , further comprising a seal member disposed around a portion of the plunger. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a selectively openable cap member disposed over the distal end. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 11 , wherein the actuation portion is a plunger and wherein a piercing element is attached to a distal end of the plunger. 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 11 , wherein the cap member is constructed of bioabsorbable material. 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 11 , wherein the cap member is a film. 
     
     
       15. The device of  claim 11 , wherein the film is a heat shrinkable material. 
     
     
       16. The device of  claim 1  further comprising a pushrod. 
     
     
       17. The device of  claim 16 , further comprising a seal member disposed around a portion of the pushrod and sized to permit pushrod to slide therethrough. 
     
     
       18. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity holds a marker element. 
     
     
       19. The device of  claim 18 , wherein the securing agent is secured to at least a portion of the marker element. 
     
     
       20. The device of  claim 18 , wherein the securing agent is in the form of a pellet. 
     
     
       21. A device comprising:
 an outer cannula having an open distal end; 
 an inner cannula disposable within the outer cannula and having a selectively openable distal end; and 
 an actuation member disposed in the inner cannula; 
 wherein the outer cannula is configured to house a marker element distally of the inner cannula and the inner cannula is configured to house a securing agent; and 
 wherein the actuation member is configured to extend through the inner cannula and the outer cannula such that the actuation member contacts the securing agent and the marker element thereby forcing the securing agent and the marker element out of the open distal end of the cannula. 
 
     
     
       22. A device, comprising:
 a cannula defining an inner lumen therein; 
 a cap member attached to a distal end of the cannula and generally closing off the inner lumen; and 
 an actuation member slidably disposed within the inner lumen; 
 wherein the cap member and the actuation member cooperate with the inner lumen to define a cavity configured to receive a securing agent; and 
 wherein the actuation member is selectively movable distally toward the cap member to rupture the cap member from the distal end of the cannula to expel the securing agent from the cannula. 
 
     
     
       23. The device of  claim 1 , further including at least one mounting flange fixedly secured to the delivery device, wherein the mounting flange is configured to engage at least one of a separate introducer and a delivery cannula so as to selectively fix the delivery device thereto.